European observers said that the Georgian parliamentary election was marred by intimidation, and irregularities both before and during the vote. This was after the ruling party claimed victory on October 27.
The country’s Electoral Commission said that the ruling Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream Party won 53.9% of the vote on October 26, which was described as crucial for Georgia‘s EU ambitions.
Some pro-EU parties refused to accept the results and claimed that the election had been stolen. They cited election monitors who reported various violations including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and other violations.
“During our observations, we noted the instances of vote buying and dual voting before and during the elections, especially in the rural areas,” said Ioanbulai, the leader of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The presence of cameras and people in front polling booths tracking and possibly controlling the voters led to an atmosphere of pressure and organized intimidation by the party.
Pascal Allizard led the OSCE mission and noted that “imbalances in the financial resources, a divisive atmosphere in the campaign, and recent legislative changes were significant concerns throughout this election process.”
Allizard said that the legal framework was “adequate,” and the vote “was largely peaceful,” although recent amendments reversed previous positive changes.
Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White is the head of a delegation from the European Parliament. He said that “the ruling party used anti-Western, hostile rhetoric against Georgia’s democratic allies, namely the European Union and its politicians and diplomats. They also promoted Russian disinformation and manipulation, as well as conspiracy theories.”
Margus Tsahkna, Estonian Foreign Minister, said on X that “reports of irregularities during the Georgian elections raise grave concerns.”
The German Foreign Ministry stated that it “fully supported preliminary findings & conclusion” of the OSCE Mission and is “concerned” about the reported tense and irregular environment.
The ministry posted on social media that “the handling of the election results & government formation would also affect the future progression of Georgia on its European pathway.”
Georgian Dream, in turn, has received congratulatory messages from world leaders including Azerbaijan, Armenia and their neighbors, while Russian, Hungarian and other officials have praised its results.
The Coalition for Change (one of the opposition parties that won 10.9%) said it would not ‘legitimize votes that were stolen from Georgians’ by taking over their parliamentary mandates.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed opposition protests, saying that the parliament would still approve the government.
The ruling party, founded in Bidzina by the oligarch Bidzina Ilvanishvili has seen the South Caucasus nation drift ever closer to Moscow hampering its EU ambitions. Tbilisi adopted the controversial law on foreign agents earlier this year, which led to the EU freezing Georgia’s process of accession even though it had been granted candidate status in December.
The ruling party also said it would seek a ban on the constitution for UNM, founded by former president Mikheil Sakashvili and one of the leading opposition parties in Georgia, as well as other opposition groups.
The passage of the bill on foreign agents in March 2023 as well as in May this year sparked large-scale protests in the country. On October 20, one week prior to the elections, a large rally was held in Tbilisi’s Freedom Square in support of Georgia’s accession to European Union.
In an interview with state media published on October 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian Defense Ministry was considering “various options,” as a possible response if Ukraine launches a long-range strike against Russia, with Western support.
Andriy Yeermak, the head of the Presidential Office, told Corriere della sera that Ukraine will finalize their formula by November.
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said on air that Ukrainian forces are still holding all the dominant heights in Zaporizhzhia oblast near Levadne and are trying to restore their positions.
Andriy Yeermak, Corriere della Sera, said that (President Volodymyr Zelensky) is very clear. He wants all soldiers and refugee abroad to be allowed to vote. “But for the moment, resources must be directed to the war.”
The regional prosecutor’s said that Russian soldiers in Selydove, a town in Donetsk Oblast, have opened fire on civilians at least twice, killing two women and injuring another, the office stated on October 27.
Andrii Sybiha will end his tour of the Middle East and Africa with a visit to Johannesburg and Pretoria. He is seeking to strengthen ties, and drum up support for Ukraine’s peace formula.
According to the central electoral commission, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream Party captured 54.3% in the Oct. 26, parliamentary elections, with more than 99% of precincts being counted.
Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia of the opposition Gakharia For Georgia Party said that the results announced “does not reflect the will” of the Georgian population and called for “reasonable protest” in order to “defend European future and the institution” of elections.
Bloomberg reported on October 25, citing unnamed sources, that Germany and France are skeptical about the EU diplomatic services’ proposal to circumvent Hungary’s veto over 6 billion euros ($6.6billion) in defense aid for Kyiv.
Governor Maxim Egorov reported on his Telegram channel that a drone struck the Michurinsky District of the region around 0:40 am local time and caused a fire. The fire was quickly put out.
The Air Force reported that Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 41 of the 80 Russian Shahed drones launched overnight. The statement stated that 32 drones were lost in Ukraine and one flew towards Belarus.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the casualties of the Russian missile attack on Dnipro’s central-eastern Dnipro city late on October 25 that targeted residential buildings and Mechnikov Hospital have risen to 5 dead and 21 injured.
This includes 1,440 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
The chief of the national police in the country said that on October 24, Moscow had funneled $39 million into a scheme run by a pro Russian oligarch to influence election results by paying ordinary people to vote against closer relations with the West.
The Strategic Industries Ministry announced that on October 26, Herman Smetanin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, met with India Ambassador to Ukraine Ravi Shankar to discuss strengthening defence industry cooperation between Kyiv & New Delhi.
Windsor Star, a Canadian media outlet, reported on October 26 that Ukrainian-Canadian film-makers pulled their pro Ukrainian film “Intercepted”, from the Windsor International Film Festival in protest. They learned that it was to be screened alongside the controversial documentary “Russians at War”.
Mahuchikh, who accepted her award, said: “It is a very special moment for me because of the difficult time that Ukraine is going through.” “But, you’re right, I’m happy to be here…for all my people in Ukraine and I hope it brings some joy during this time.”
On October 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law allowing foreign volunteers to serve as officers in Ukraine’s International Legion.
During his evening speech on October 26, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that North Korean forces may appear on the front lines fighting alongside Russian forces in the coming weeks.
On Oct. 26, the ruling Georgian Dream Party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ilvanishvili, and groups that aimed to end its 12-year rule, declared victory.
On Oct. 26, footage was released of a person stuffing the ballot box in the southern Georgian town of Marnueli.
The government is currently auditing the exemption process until Nov. 15, to determine which businesses qualify for critical enterprises status. This reflects the government’s efforts to balance the country’s defense needs and economic stability.
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